How much LR in 55 Gal. tank?

[Domino]

Hi everyone!

I'm starting a 4'x1.5'x1.5' tank. It's around 55 Gal, probably a bit less. It will be a FOWLR to start with, as the chiller is an investement for later.

I'm using a hang-on venturi skimmer and an external canister filter (Fluval 304)... Yeah, no sump... I'm following a reference book (I read a few...) that advises beginners to start with a larger stable volume of water and a lot of LR as biological filtration instead of a sump and a hang-on skimmer and a canister filter.

How much LR would be necessary? the book advises 1 kg/2Gal. So this would be about 28kg. Is this enough? I've just staretd cycling the tank, but it doen't look like it's a lot. on another hand, I'm also happy to keep a nice space for the fish to swim.

Thanks for the help

[jc85]

I'm using ard 40-50kg of rocks for my 55gallon tank. Btw, I do not use pvc/eggcrates.

Cheers

[ervine]

I have about 15-20kgs... using eggcrate ... still not enough but I suppose when the corals come in it should cover...

[james72]

I have about 15-20kgs... using eggcrate ... still not enough but I suppose when the corals come in it should cover...

The more the merrier, natural biological filteration, but then again, dont over do it. The water will have too much nutrient in it that it could not be reused.

Base on below website, your 4 x 1.5 x 1.5 should have 67 US Gallons

You might be using Imperial gallons for your calculations.

http://www.ifocas.fsworld.co.uk/calculator.htm

I estimate you should use at least 67 x 1.5 = 100.5 lbs or 45.68kg

[Domino]

Thanks for the feedback and the link!

In fact, I filled it using 5 liter bottles (it took a little while! ) and so I counted them just to see and I have around 240l in there.

Tank volumes are often caculated using external dimensions. In reality, it is not the case and tanks are not filled to the very top either.

There are also light rocks with a lot of holes and heavier ones with more volume, but less surface area.

I'm using the lighter ones. Would 30kg be enough overall then?

[ryz]

I'm using 55 kgs of LR in my 3 feet tank and 12 kg in sump!!!

[Domino]

Wouah!

I guess I should add more to mine then!

[weileong]

My advise is to add in like 75% of what you think you need first. Because corals will come with LR so after all your corals are in it will be just nice.

I happened to be able to speak some one senior reefer here and with his advise I bought less than what I need and now stocking up with corals and will seems to be just sufficient when my tank is fully stocked with corals.